Dominion Honey Melon Crawl: Silver Concord Dominion of Alee

[Matsu Ike]

Alee the world was largely... peaceful. An ancient world used by the hutt and big trader with the mid rim that served to give agriculture to the galaxy. Their regions built for massive amounts of cultivation and harvesting over time. Matsu was looking to bring the silver jedi some increased production for fortifying the infrastructure of the Concord. Food production would be a big thing and the trades would allow them to better aid refugees from wars or trade with some groups they had descent standing with. Her return on Kashyyyk had done a lot and they could aid here as wars raged across the galaxy. "There isn't much here is there?" THe jedi master said it to herself as much as to the ones on the ship with her. Ashla's light had been brought out of well it had been forgotten so not really mothballs it had been getting upgrades and improved upon.

"No not much but when has that ever stopped from going to worlds?" The AI asked as it stood there on the hardlight projector. A grin forming from her lips towards the map on the table. Matsus hand waved over it bringing the terrain up as she thought about it and there was some open areas of the field mostly mined and not suitable for farmland. She was thinking about it and well if they could get some of the politicians from the assembly like Hanna Ike to be able to negotiate for the land and a little of the surrounding area they might be able to construct a temple. Ithorian style with more nature based sure but they would be able to dedicate it for improving the farmlands and protecting the crops. That they would be sending out jedi and rangers to stop raiders shaking down farmers for protection would hopefully be seen as a benefit as well.

"We are in position, shuttles are loaded." The AI spoke as the jedi master nodded and continued to fiddle with the map and hardlight to set up what they might be able to do. "Begin sending down what supplies we can. I want teams prepared for the different areas of engagement and comlinks on. We aren't going to have people go missing so locator beacons should be set up." She got nods from some fo the other jedi who were with her on the bridge of the ship. She would head down once a foothold in the operations were there and see about crop production or ways that they would be able to advance and help them protect themselves. She rolled herr shoulders while walking towards the shuttlecraft to take them down in the runabout. Her saber in the sleeve of her robes.

As she was heading down the message came up there was a celebration happening. "Welcome to Alee's harvest festival visitors. We have a hundred thousand gallons of sweet golden wine made from the biggest Honey Melons on the planet and all are welcome."

Objectives:
Farmlands: Establishing improved agricultural methods to increase production and yeilds. For more nature focused jedi and negotiators from the assembly to get trade contracts. Mechanical minded jedi can develop or repair irrigation systems. Or attend the honey melon festival.

Raiders: Where there is credits there are those wanting to steal them. Raiders go after farms to shake down the residents of the planet, find them, catch them and bring them in to find out if they are part of a larger group or on their own.

Bring your own objective: Have fun, enjoy the farmland maybe stumble upon a crashed meteor with a baby inside of it.

 

[Kei Amadis]

Objectives: Farmlands Irrigation.
Tag: Open

Wildcards they were known as once upon a lifetime ago, ex republic special forces joining the silver Jedi or SSC at their foundation. Now over the decades, most had gone, new veterans had come, and those had gone too. The wildcards had become a place where those retiring from regular service like the rangers could still contribute, a bit like the old relic of a Jedi Master who stood with them, sleeves rolled up, mud on his boots working with the local farmers.

Practical dark green shirt, brown jacket, and jeans, sturdy boots, a belt with tools to assist. The best thing about working with these guys was there was no drama, all veterans they'd seen a lot, there was no complaining, just relaxed banter as they went about their tasks.

He wasn't the one with the plan, he was just the one with the shovel, how he liked it. Listening to whoever was running the show about where the equipment was to be moved, and what was to be dug. Ranger, padawan, knight, master, or consultant, didn't matter to Amadis who was coordinating. They'd all get the same attention.

Leaning on the shovel he looked around at the festival-goers moving by, giving them a nod. Beside him, rows of teams were working on clearing ditches and better irrigating the fields. Fields which looked a mess, ditches with all manner of clutter blocking water flow. Breathing deep of the force it settled him, and a subtle calm surrounded the Jedi Master. Good to be in the open air again. Somewhere nearby his children were working, and every so often he'd glance. Overprotective of their development, he'd have to let them breathe one day, not yet, there was a grin.

"Master Amadis I think there's a problem."

 

[Trista Consta]

Objective: Raiders

What a strange creature. Could mother ever imagine me meeting such an alien?

She doffed her helmet and let a smile plaster her tanned face as she almost stretched out a hand to greet the vippit before realizing that they didn't have any hand to reciprocate the action with. Her hand fell awkwardly to rest at her side. She wistfully looked up at the darkening sky before turning her gaze back awkwardly down to the farmer.

"I'm Captain Consta, it's a pleasure to meet you. I just wish it was under better circumstances."

The vippit bobbed his head up and down, "Yes, but it is good that you, your people, and the jedi have come when they have. The galaxy is a rough place after all...it could be worse."

"The Bryn'adul?"

"Yes," croaked the being, "but thankfully they are gone. replaced by these...intruders."

"What can you tell me about them?"

"Not much," said the alien, "they showed up a couple weeks ago, ride vehicles like yours..."

With that, the vippit pointed the speeder bikes that the hapans had arrived on.

"...but older, more beat-up. We can always hear them coming before we see the dust clouds coming...."

"What they do they look like?"

"I don't actually know," admitted the vippit, "we always hide the second we know they're coming. Nothing's good ever come of talking to 'em. Old Dooble tried when they first came around. They shot him for the trouble. They take what they want, leaving us just enough to get by and continue on...but they always ride back to the east over there, beyond that hill. A couple say they've camped out there. I don't know for sure though...I'm not that type of being, to look into finding trouble unannounced..."



Mission Gear

Spoiler

Llwelkyn-series Battle Armor
LPD-66 Flashfire Blaster Rifle
LPD-33 Dartfire Variable Charge Blaster Pistol
2 LPD-12 Hydra Electronet Grenades
2 LPD-24 Fireblast Dual Purpose Grenade

Narglatch-class Speeder Bike

 

[Ewan "Raider" Isaacs]

Hesitation is a Hole in the head!​

Spoiler: CARRIER AND AIR WING MAKEUP

SHIP NAME: ETHEREAL
SHIP CLASS:

Spoiler: CARRIER AND AIR WING MAKEUP

CARRIER
SHIP CAPTAIN: ROGER POWELL
COMMAND STAFF
Amenediel Shuttle Mk II

TRANSPORT COMPLIMENT: "ARES WING"
CALLSIGNS: Admiral Angellus "Maverick" is and will always be "Angel 1", Captain Rojuh Pouil "Starlight" is "Angel 2" Captain Scoht Pouil "Meteor" is "VOODOO 1". Captain Ewan Isaacs "Raider" is "SCAR 1" or "1 : 1" and in command of the Jackals primarily for both ships. Each Squadron leader makes up the remaining "Angel" callsigns, their individual squadrons and make-ups are named below.

SPACIAL COMBAT AND RENDITION - SCARs use the Jackal Fighter for its balance of speed and maneuverability as well as its remote capabilities. This allows the elite pilot/operators to"bail" and operate in zero-G often a tactic in boarding capital ships.

1. SCAR 4 Jackal Class Starfighter
2. SCAR 5 Jackal Class Starfighter
3. SCAR 6 Jackal Class Starfighter
4. SCAR 7 Jackal Class Starfighter
5. SCAR 8 Jackal Class Starfighter
6. SCAR 9 Jackal Class Starfighter
7. SCAR 10 Jackal Class Starfighter
8. SCAR 12 Jackal Class Starfighter
9. SCAR 13 Jackal Class Starfighter
10. SCAR 14 Jackal Class Starfighter
11. SCAR 15 Jackal Class Starfighter
12. SCAR 16 Jackal Class Starfighter
13. SCAR 17 Jackal Class Starfighter
14. SCAR 18 Jackal Class Starfighter
15. SCAR 19 Jackal Class Starfighter
16. SCAR 20 Jackal Class Starfighter
17. SCAR 21 Jackal Class Starfighter
18. SCAR 22 Jackal Class Starfighter
19. SCAR 23 Jackal Class Starfighter
20. SCAR 24 Jackal Class Starfighter
21. SCAR 25 Jackal Class Starfighter
22. SCAR 26 Jackal Class Starfighter

SUPPORT/TRANSPORTS

1. Ares 1 Cherub Gunship
2. Ares 2 Cherub Transport
3. Ares 3 Cherub Transport

Spoiler: ETHEREAL MARINES UNITS PER SHIP

Seraphim Marines
Powered Armor
Cherub Troop Transport
Cherub Gunship
Saraquael Fighting Vehicles
A-2319 Tanks
"Haniel" Tank Mk II
"Gundark" Multi-Purpose Vehicle
Jackhammers
"Mauler" Class Mobile Command Center
18x Skycranes

SECTOR: Alee
ORDERS: OBJECTIVE BETA - “RAIDERS” - Investigate and halt any potential or alleged “Raider” activity.
WINGMATES: Trista Consta . Anybody who wants to converse!
[Any conversations in these brackets indicate Comm-link traffic]

[One: One to all SCAR units, report in.]

[One: Two]

[One: Three]

[One: Four]

[Scar Two’s is set perimeter.]

[Scar Threes are in the air.]

[Alright, Raider to Main]

[Go ahead, 1:1 send traffic.]

[We’re clear down here, send the two transports.]

Walking over to a man who looked to be well into his fifties, Fighter pilot and SCAR unit team leader Captain Ewan Isaacs, callsign “Raider.” unslung the extra rifle that he was carrying and offered it to the younger man who walked up next to him. The older farmer stopped his son from doing so.

“What is this about? What is going on here?”

My name is Captain Ewan Isaacs, and I am with the Silver Jedi Defense Force, we are an arm of the Silver Jedi Concord. I have not only been tasked, it is my duty to provide you with the means and the know-how to be able to defend yourselves should you need to. Starting with this. This is an LPD-14 Firebolt Variable Charge Blaster Rifle and this is a Stormburst Slugthrower Pistol. These are standard weapons and I will teach any of your people, who at least wish to, how to use them.

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

YT-2400 Alderaan Queen
On The Ilosian Spur | Approach To Alee

[ theme ]​

He'd almost forgotten what this felt like.

A rag in hand, the tow-headed Anzat was trying to rub the grease from his palms as he walked through the interior of the Corellian freighter. His eyes moved along the walls. So familiar. So alien. Almost as though he was walking back through memories. Some half-remembered dream.

This ship had been sitting on a landing pad outside his house for the past decade.

But for the better part of three decades before that, this ship had been his home. He'd traveled the Outer Rim, as far as Laekia, in this ship. He'd fought the First Order in this ship.

Hell, he'd fought the One Sith with this ship. And that was a name that some Jedi today were likely to not even know.

Wandering through the cockpit, the boy pitched himself down into the pilot's chair. Outside, the mottled sea of hyperspace enveloped the ship in a blanket of light.

Matsu Ike had the Silvers reaching out to a world known as Alee. Sor-Jan knew it in passing. During the Old Republic, it had been part of Hutt Space. He'd briefly passed through more recently, while running interference with the gangs controlled by Sempra the Hutt. He didn't know much about the natives -- snails of some kind -- but the Ilosians were familiar enough. Hard working. Industrious. Meek.

Precisely the kind of people the Hutts like to oppress for their own benefit.

Pivoting in the chair. the boy casually tossed the dirtied rag over into the adjacent co-pilot seat. A soft smile briefly touched his face as he thought about this ship. The places they'd been.

The people who'd been with them for the journey.

ORD MIRIT
ONE SITH TERRITORY | 30 YEARS AGO​

The Mirit System was one of the oldest patches of space known to either man or Duros. Located in the region of space that had come to be called The Colonies, this expanse of stars was the first to have been visited by explorers from the Core Worlds. Each star was a page in history. A celestial beauty frozen in time.

An angry blaster bolt marred that beauty, flashing across the din of space as it shot like a magic missile fired at the darkness.

"Sith spit!"

The YT-2400 light freighter emerged out into the vacuum of history. Engines burned a vibrant blue, as the ship blazed a trail across a sky full of blaster bolts. And, as per the usual, the ship was on the receiving end of them. As for the epithet that the young Jedi had uttered, that had originally been intended for the clone of Mandalorian bounty hunter Jango Fett -- who was seated beside him. However, it could have just as easily been applied to the Sith starfighters that were now in pursuit of them.

...or the Anselmi trader who was texting on his holopad when he should have been watching the traffic in the space lane. Seriously, get off your comlink. You are flying!

But, they wouldn't be dodging starfighters or freighter pilots who weren't looking where they were going if it were not for the tactical expertise of the Grand Army of the Republic's own clone troopers. Alternating between controlling the wild manuevers of the ship and sliding out of his seat in order to punch the clone in the shoulder, repeatedly, the small Anzat noted, "Spoiler alert: The point of smuggling is... YOU DON'T TELL PEOPLE YOU'RE SMUGGLING!"

Snapping his arm up, the small clone trooper deflected the arm punch and retaliated with a jab to Sor-Jan's ribs that planted the young Jedi back down on his butt in the pilot's chair. "You said lying was bad!" the juvenile clone cadet declared defensively.

Oh, now the clone decides to listen to him. "Not when it's to the Sith!"

"E chu ta," the other boy snapped bitterly, scowling at the Anzat. As another blaster bolt was fired across the canopy, the dark-skinned youngling added, "Feel free to go to hyperspace ANY TIME NOW!"

"Not helping," Sor-Jan muttered, even as plugged a series of coordinates into the navi-computer and then came up out of the seat in order to reach the hyperdrive controls. Seizing hold of the three levers, the youngling knight rocked the controls back.

Instead of stars streaking by, there was the distinctive sound like that of the transmission falling out of the block.

"Nerf-herder! Why aren't we in hyperspace?" the clone demanded.

"NOT helping!" the Anzati Jedi snapped tersely, bolting from out of the cockpit toward the engineering section. As he did, the boy nearly collided with the gangly 2-1B medical droid as it lumbered toward the cockpit.

"I sensed that the vessel was under distress," the droid noted, avoiding near collision with the small Jedi and then turning to follow him.

Ignoring the observations of the mechanically inept, the Corellian-born youngling plunged head-first into an open man cover in the deck toward the center of the ship. Exposed circuit cards scraped against his face and hands, leaving with a series of small cuts as he wormed his way toward the most likely problem.

The electrical tape was still holding the splicing from the last patch job together.

And the duct tape looked to be holding the hyperdrive actuator in place.

"Your heart rate is elevated and your blood pressure is high," the boy heard the 2-1B remark from the floor above, where the droid was speaking to the child's exposed boots.

"SJ, get up here!" the clone shouted from the cockpit.

"NOT HELPING!" the Anzat yelled, as he wiggled free of the maintenance crawl space. Pushing up from off the deck, the youngling barreled past the droid to make a sprint for the cockpit.

"We've lost the rear deflector," Three remarked, as the Jedi hopped back into the pilot's seat.

For his part, Sor-Jan just blinked. Considering the beating they were taking, they'd only lost the rear deflector? That didn't seem that ba...

"...the lateral controls, the hyperdrive, the navi-computer, and the hot water heater."

"The hot water heater?" the Anzat echoed, turning to give the clone a quizzical look, as if in disbelief that that was even a thing. Shaking his head, the small Jedi brought the ship around in a steeply banked turn, charging their attackers even as he looked for a new angle. "All right, plan B."

Long ago, when all stars still burned as one, his master had taught him that a Jedi Sentinel didn't take a dwang without a plan. And a back-up plan. And a contingency plan on top of that.

"What's plan B?"

"I don't know yet."

The small clone did a double take. "That's not a plan!" the other youngling declared tersely.

"Is SO a plan," Sor-Jan quipped back defensively.

Seriously, he'd been a Jedi for like fifty years now. This was about as good as Jedi operational planning got. It was known as the Jinn Doctrine. That is, figure it out as you go. Or there was the Windu Doctrine, which Sor-Jan was actually partial to. That one was summed up as, scrap the plan. Just blow something up!

"That's NOT a plan!"

"It's... ten percent of a plan," Sor-Jan shot back, with a derisive snort. Gripping the flight controls tightly, the young Anzat split between the pair of Sith starfighters, making a run for space that was currently open sky.

...but for the two medium cruisers moving into position to fire full broadsides their way.

Scanning the area, the Jedi's eyes fell upon a droid-controlled cargo hauler. Which appeared to be speeding away from one of Ord Mirit's trading posts. If it had unloaded it's cargo, then it was probably...

"Go stand by the tow cable," the small Jedi remarked suddenly. "I've got an idea."

A L E E
PRESENT DAY​

The ringing from the navi-computer roused the boy from his reminiscing.

They'd clung onto one of those One Sith ships until they'd dumped their garbage, and then wound up on Fondor trying to make repairs to the ship. Living by the seat of their pants. Barely a credit between them.

And even then, Levantine credits weren't going to buy you a cup of caf on most worlds.

How times changed.

Swiveling his chair around, the boy slipped back to the controls as though donning an old pair of slippers. "Three, standby to cut over to sublight," the boy uttered, without even thinking about it.

Then his head came up. And he'd realized what he'd done.

Who was he talking to?

He glanced over at the chair beside him, the dirty rag laying across the seat. Empty chairs at empty stations. Now my clones are dead and gone.

Here they talked of revolution. Here it was they lit the flame. Here they sang about tomorrow.

...and tomorrow come and gone.

His mouth opened for a moment before he leaned over and flipped the switches on the hyperdrive. The blanket of light changed, becoming a series of streaks that finally resolved to become the familiar backdrop of space.

He'd arrived.

 

[Wu Yeoh-Mei]

Objective: Negotiations

The silver jedi had come to the world and it was rich with potential. The idea being to fortify infrastructure and improve relations through different means. Some were helping with raiders while others were aiding with repairs and equipment. THe jedi negotiator herself though was joining them as this festival was something she had seen other places... kind of. THe amount of wine they were presenting likely made for bad decisions but they were all in high spirits. The petite jedi master stood out as she wore her robes and the sash trailed behind her. Saber on her hip and hair pulled back into a ponytail as she exited the runabout shuttle to join the ones on the ground.

 

[Trista Consta]

Location: Homestead community, Alee
Objective: Raiders
Allies: Ewan "Raider" Isaacs

Trouble unannounced? She fought the urge to grin. Getting into trouble was something she'd been accused of far more often than her mother would have liked, though Trista herself would admit that she knew she had been courting it in some of those instances. This was just another instance in where the possible risk was worth the potential reward. And the reward wasn't for her, but this community of unusual vippits. That made it all right, didn't it?

"We're going to have a quick look around," announced the young captain.

The vippit nodded, "May the maker be with you always."

She hesitated. That isn't right, is it? A flustered smile flickered across her face before she abruptly turned around to face the other hapan rangers. Do I really correct him on that? Maybe that's a local saying around here...She turned her attention from the alien's mismatched phrase to the rangers around her. The three others were all enlisted - that brought between them an immediate social barrier in addition to descent from her mother - and she barely knew them. Two of them were engaged in some conversation, but the third had been watching her interaction with the vippit the entire time: Telia. She always seemed more empathetic than the rest of them. She'll do.

"Private Telia," said Consta, "care to join me for a quick ride to the outskirts?"

The other woman silently nodded in understanding of the obviously implied order. Trista turned to the other two who had realized that Trista had finished talking, "You two, take up an overwatch position somewhere. We don't need any surprises when we get back. Let me know if you spot anything heading this way."

"Yes ma'am."

She donned her helmet, snapped its strap together and pulled it down tight as she swung her leg over her bike's seat. Even for a speeder bike, the Narglatches they'd been issued were known to be exceptionally fast, especially if the turbo-booster was engaged. And flying several hundreds of kilometers per hour is not when she wanted to lose her helmet. Trista revved the bike's throttle and jetted off, with Telia in short pursuit. The terrain flashed by her eyes, with her helmet's HUD rapidly filling up with highlighted obstacles and possibly interesting readings - most of which were farming equipment of some sort or another. While a repulsor-tractor was a vehicle, she doubted that it possessed any weapons or any speed to be a danger to her. Her bike barreled onto a dirt road that seemed to lead up to the hill that the vippit had mentioned. As the two hapans neared its crest, she cut the throttle, letting the bike quietly drift up to the top. She jumped off and grabbed a hold of the bike, preventing it from making the summit itself before she crawled up on her stomach to do the same. Yet as she scanned the horizon beyond the hill, she saw nothing of obvious interest. The fading sunlight cast deep and golden hues on the wavy fields of grains and foliage that seemed to stretch for kilometers on end. She did a double take, but saw nothing, even as Telia dropped to lay down nearby to fiddle with a scanner pack.

"See anything?" asked Trista.

"Nothing yet...ma'am."

"The farmers said the raiders were using speeders of some sort," said Trista, "maybe they took an extra long trip out to make sure they weren't followed."

"Maybe they came down in a ship," suggested the other soldier.

"Possible," admitted the hapan, "we should get back to others and start training the locals up..."



Mission Gear

Spoiler

Llwelkyn-series Battle Armor
LPD-66 Flashfire Blaster Rifle
LPD-33 Dartfire Variable Charge Blaster Pistol
2 LPD-12 Hydra Electronet Grenades
2 LPD-24 Fireblast Dual Purpose Grenade

Narglatch-class Speeder Bike

 

[Ewan "Raider" Isaacs]

Hesitation is a Hole in the head!​

Spoiler: CARRIER AND AIR WING MAKEUP

SHIP NAME: ETHEREAL
SHIP CLASS: CARRIER
SHIP CAPTAIN: ROGER POWELL
COMMAND STAFF
Amenediel Shuttle Mk II

TRANSPORT COMPLIMENT: "ARES WING"
CALLSIGNS: Admiral Angellus "Maverick" is and will always be "Angel 1", Captain Rojuh Pouil "Starlight" is "Angel 2" Captain Scoht Pouil "Meteor" is "VOODOO 1". Captain Ewan Isaacs "Raider" is "SCAR 1" or "1 : 1" and in command of the Jackals primarily for both ships. Each Squadron leader makes up the remaining "Angel" callsigns, their individual squadrons and make-ups are named below.

SPACIAL COMBAT AND RENDITION - SCARs use the Jackal Fighter for its balance of speed and maneuverability as well as its remote capabilities. This allows the elite pilot/operators to"bail" and operate in zero-G often a tactic in boarding capital ships.

1. SCAR 4 Jackal Class Starfighter
2. SCAR 5 Jackal Class Starfighter
3. SCAR 6 Jackal Class Starfighter
4. SCAR 7 Jackal Class Starfighter
5. SCAR 8 Jackal Class Starfighter
6. SCAR 9 Jackal Class Starfighter
7. SCAR 10 Jackal Class Starfighter
8. SCAR 12 Jackal Class Starfighter
9. SCAR 13 Jackal Class Starfighter
10. SCAR 14 Jackal Class Starfighter
11. SCAR 15 Jackal Class Starfighter
12. SCAR 16 Jackal Class Starfighter
13. SCAR 17 Jackal Class Starfighter
14. SCAR 18 Jackal Class Starfighter
15. SCAR 19 Jackal Class Starfighter
16. SCAR 20 Jackal Class Starfighter
17. SCAR 21 Jackal Class Starfighter
18. SCAR 22 Jackal Class Starfighter
19. SCAR 23 Jackal Class Starfighter
20. SCAR 24 Jackal Class Starfighter
21. SCAR 25 Jackal Class Starfighter
22. SCAR 26 Jackal Class Starfighter

SUPPORT/TRANSPORTS

1. Ares 1 Cherub Gunship
2. Ares 2 Cherub Transport
3. Ares 3 Cherub Transport

Spoiler: ETHEREAL MARINES UNITS PER SHIP

Seraphim Marines
Powered Armor
Cherub Troop Transport
Cherub Gunship
Saraquael Fighting Vehicles
A-2319 Tanks
"Haniel" Tank Mk II
"Gundark" Multi-Purpose Vehicle
Jackhammers
"Mauler" Class Mobile Command Center
18x Skycranes

SECTOR: Alee
ORDERS: OBJECTIVE BETA - “RAIDERS” - Investigate and halt any potential or alleged “Raider” activity.
WINGMATES: Trista Consta . Anybody who wants to converse!
[Any conversations in these brackets indicate Comm-link traffic]

[2:1 to 1:1]

[1:1 go ahead, send traffic]

[Movement inward, hold fire, they’re Rangers.]

[Acknowledged. They see you?]

[They shouldn’t which means they do.]

[Acknowledged. Sending 1:3 and 1:4 out soon. 4:1 will rotate you out soon.]

[Acknowledged, out.]

The elder farmer, we’ll call him “Barry” was more than reticent to the presence of the SCAR team out here. He was downright against it, but this town was a bit of a “democracy” in that they all voted and he was outvoted. So that meant that he had to stand there and welcome people that he did not want, to teach younger farmers he did not respect skills that he did not understand to be able to do things he did not like. This was completely detestable in
His eyes in all he could see were killers wanting them to become killers.

“Why are you here?” He asked.

Sir, as I’ve explained to you three times already, we are here to give an emergency vault that is hidden well underground for supplies. You will also be given a number of simple rifles and sidearms to be able to defend yourselves. We are under orders to be here, sir. If you do not wish to be here, you will need to speak to my superiors.

The younger of the two farmers, we’ll call him “Straw” was not overly accepting of them either, but he was more open to what was going on.

“Elder, the man is here to do a job. At least give him a chance to do so. They want to help us and I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of the Raiders hitting us.”

“Well, they are the ones who sighed up for this. We did not.” Elder naively argued.

We did not sign up to be shot at sir. We signed up to serve, I assure you.

 

[Kei Amadis]

Objectives: Farmlands Irrigation.
Tag: Open

Nothing was that simple, farming had plenty of challenges, often trying to balance different concerns of the environment, the workforce, and the local population. Amadis calmly breathed out. A group of agricultural workers were having a heated debate on the best course of action. It was getting to the point that a padawan had come over to get him.

He held up his hand to the padawan as he tried to explain, merely grinning and nodding to the boy., walking over instead directly. "What is the problem?" The Jedi Master said as calmly as he was able to the small gathering.

"We need to run pipes under those tree's over there for an even spread of water." One Insectoid-looking Gand remarked, he was quite humble as with most of his race, but clearly having no better solution.

"The pipes will damage the roots! You only care about your crops." An older Bothan farmer was arguing, upsetting the mild-tempered Gand, clearly more in favor of saving the tree line, not wanting to risk upsetting the natural balance of the local ecosystem nearby.

"We could move the edge of the irrigation system," a mild manner Ithorian was about to suggest until he was cut off mid-sentence by a Wookiee roar, that sounded like he didn't want to completely change the plans this far into development, the young Ithorian moved its large head side to side in apology. It was true they had been working here for some time, moving the pipework might not be that simple.

Listening to all the perspectives Amadis pulled up the plans on a large hologrid, showing where the fields they were preparing would sit, and the local tree line, it seemed the ground was running to the east and trees more than they had anticipated. He scratched his stubble, how had they missed it? What else was here? Something felt wrong.

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

[ theme ]
​

The ground and sky rotated.

The view from the cockpit's windows was a blur of color and motion, as the boy flipped the light freighter over as he adjusted the flight profile for the planetary axis. Blue skies washed away the emptiness of space, as buttermilk clouds enveloped the ship in fine mist.

It felt as though he were conducting an orchestra. The feel of the ship beneath his hands. The way the controls responded to him. It was all familiar, yet was returning to him all the same. He'd grown accustomed to being flown, not flying. Traveling as a passenger aboard corporate shuttles and executive transports that ferried him from meeting to meeting, where staff and protocol droids fell over themselves to cater to him in the hopes of securing his business.

Well, there was no one catering to him now.

The question was, did he prefer it that way? Or had he become so enamored in the corporate world that being something other than extraordinary was foreign to him? Something like the Republic senators that he'd once railed against, selling their values to whoever lobbied the most.

Plying his hands at the controls, the boy banked over a group of farms. Somewhere below, Kei Amadis -- the man he'd met on Kashyyyk -- would be working with some of the farmers.

The same task for which Sor-Jan had come. Or, a similar one, in any event. Adjusting the ship to land in a different region of the agriplanet, the boy brought the ship down into a field left fallow.

The ship bounced slightly as the landing was a tad harder than he'd intended...

Still, not bad for the first flight in more than ten years.

The boy had changed into a sleeveless tunic, one of the designs Matsu Ike had done for him actually. As he walked toward the door, he stretched out a hand. A lightsaber handle smacked into his waiting palm with a thought.

He started to clip it to the utility belt he wore, but then stopped. Holding out the lightsaber, the boy found himself dwelling on the people who had influenced him to create it. Darth Metus and the Knights Obsidian were where it had begun. Scherezade deWinter and the Agents of Chaos had just pushed him through a door he'd already opened.

This weapon came not because it was willing, but because it was willed. Controlled. Commanded. Not a true partnership.

Tossing that lightsaber aside, the boy stretched out his hand. This time, he closed his eyes and tried to cast aside his doubt, and recall a presence he'd not felt in a long time. A long time.

The young Anzat gave a start when it smacked into his palm. The metal cool to the touch, even as the spirit within warmed his thoughts, almost as though embracing an old friend.

I return this to you, Master. In so doing, I return the trust you once placed in me.​

He could feel them. The padawans that had carried this lightsaber, while he, in his arrogance, had gone to war with the Mandalorians over whatever damned fool crusade had sparked their bloodlust.

Ancient history now.

As he was at risk of becoming.

Attaching the Paperweight to his belt, the boy turned and set out from the ship. Warm, moist air and a crisp breeze that smelled slightly of wheat greeted him.

In the distance, he could see a farmstead. He'd only crossed about halfway toward it when he saw an Ilosian coming toward him. "Hello," the alien farmer supplied in greeting.

The boy paused to give a quiet bow of acknowledgment, when he was greeted a second time by, "We were expecting a Jedi."

Translation: We were expecting someone taller.

Craning his head, as he looked over the top of the Anzat's head, the farmer continued, "Is your master coming?"

"He sent me on ahead," the boy supplied glibly. Not entirely inaccurate, from a certain point of view. "My name is Sor-Jan," the boy added, giving his name as he started toward the farmer.

"Tell me, you do export goods off world?"

"Of course," the Ilosian answered, as the boy simply walked past. Glancing back for signs of another Jedi, the man shook his head and then fell into step behind the boy. "It's about the only way to make any profit."

"Do you have a social media strategy?"

"A what?"

As he expected. Giving a slight incline of his head, the Corellian-born business vampire began with, "Let's start with a look at your business plan..."

 

[Wu Yeoh-Mei]

Objective: Negotiations
Allies: Sor-Jan Xantha

She was able to see coming in the Alderaanian queen.. the ship was something but the child who came out of the cargo hold was not who she was expecting.... though as Wu went to meet him and listened she looked at the childlike jedi bowing her head. "Master Xantha." She had met him before when she was Jyoti's padawan and there was a whole lot of other jedi around them then. She hadn't been much different just learning as one of the first Jin who had joined the jedi order. The small jin was compared ot many of the other jedi masters she had met... small.. Jin were tiny but she was better at negotiating with the farmers as she looked at the ones there. "THank you for allowing us to come here."

 

[Trista Consta]

Location: Homestead community, Alee
Objective: Raiders
Allies: Ewan "Raider" Isaacs

Trista's and Telia's speeder bikes barely slowed as they negotiated a turn near the outskirts of the settlement. Even as they did, the other two hapans dropped in behind them on their own bikes. But she barely registered their presence as she focused on her HUD's scrawling readout and the dozens of possible reasons to die or maim herself coming her way. Small wonder mother was always a nervous wreck when I was messing around with these things...Thinking of her, she gradually slowed down the throttle, with her squad mates following suit, until they were going just slightly faster than normal civilian traffic on a Core World. Fast enough that she felt they would be time-efficient, but not fast enough to be exceedingly dangerous - a fine of art balancing that she normally detested.

As they neared Ewan "Raider" Isaacs and the SCAR team, she turned the bike's thrusters off and simply let it glide forward on built-up momentum before braking to a halt. Her HUD immediately began to fill up with information, tagging all of the Concord personnel as friendlies and listing up names and comlink contact information on them if appropriate, while the threat analyzer began to immediately analyze the farmers around them. After a minute or so of analysis, rightly or wrongly, it assessed that the farmers's greatest strength was sheer numbers in relation to her. In a sense, that wasn't a big surprise - she was, after all, a fairly well trained and equipped soldier - as were most of the other Concord personnel present. The farmers were not, but despite the innate sense of superiority she felt to them, she knew it to be dangerous.

Chance always had a role to play - and it could fell the strongest of them.

Perhaps just as importantly, the farmers didn't need to be able to take her on one to one, they had to be able to take on the raiders collectively as a group.

She took off her helmet as she dismounted the bike and sauntered over towards the pilot as she slung her blaster rifle to the low ready position.

"How's training going?"

Mission Gear

Spoiler

Llwelkyn-series Battle Armor
LPD-66 Flashfire Blaster Rifle
LPD-33 Dartfire Variable Charge Blaster Pistol
2 LPD-12 Hydra Electronet Grenades
2 LPD-24 Fireblast Dual Purpose Grenade

Narglatch-class Speeder Bike

 

[Ewan "Raider" Isaacs]

Hesitation is a Hole in the head!​

Spoiler: CARRIER AND AIR WING MAKEUP

SHIP NAME: ETHEREAL
SHIP CLASS: CARRIER
SHIP CAPTAIN: ROGER POWELL
COMMAND STAFF
Amenediel Shuttle Mk II

TRANSPORT COMPLIMENT: "ARES WING"
CALLSIGNS: Admiral Angellus "Maverick" is and will always be "Angel 1", Captain Rojuh Pouil "Starlight" is "Angel 2" Captain Scoht Pouil "Meteor" is "VOODOO 1". Captain Ewan Isaacs "Raider" is "SCAR 1" or "1 : 1" and in command of the Jackals primarily for both ships. Each Squadron leader makes up the remaining "Angel" callsigns, their individual squadrons and make-ups are named below.

SPACIAL COMBAT AND RENDITION - SCARs use the Jackal Fighter for its balance of speed and maneuverability as well as its remote capabilities. This allows the elite pilot/operators to"bail" and operate in zero-G often a tactic in boarding capital ships.

1. SCAR 4 Jackal Class Starfighter
2. SCAR 5 Jackal Class Starfighter
3. SCAR 6 Jackal Class Starfighter
4. SCAR 7 Jackal Class Starfighter
5. SCAR 8 Jackal Class Starfighter
6. SCAR 9 Jackal Class Starfighter
7. SCAR 10 Jackal Class Starfighter
8. SCAR 12 Jackal Class Starfighter
9. SCAR 13 Jackal Class Starfighter
10. SCAR 14 Jackal Class Starfighter
11. SCAR 15 Jackal Class Starfighter
12. SCAR 16 Jackal Class Starfighter
13. SCAR 17 Jackal Class Starfighter
14. SCAR 18 Jackal Class Starfighter
15. SCAR 19 Jackal Class Starfighter
16. SCAR 20 Jackal Class Starfighter
17. SCAR 21 Jackal Class Starfighter
18. SCAR 22 Jackal Class Starfighter
19. SCAR 23 Jackal Class Starfighter
20. SCAR 24 Jackal Class Starfighter
21. SCAR 25 Jackal Class Starfighter
22. SCAR 26 Jackal Class Starfighter

SUPPORT/TRANSPORTS

1. Ares 1 Cherub Gunship
2. Ares 2 Cherub Transport
3. Ares 3 Cherub Transport

Spoiler: ETHEREAL MARINES UNITS PER SHIP

Seraphim Marines
Powered Armor
Cherub Troop Transport
Cherub Gunship
Saraquael Fighting Vehicles
A-2319 Tanks
"Haniel" Tank Mk II
"Gundark" Multi-Purpose Vehicle
Jackhammers
"Mauler" Class Mobile Command Center
18x Skycranes

SECTOR: Alee
ORDERS: OBJECTIVE BETA - “RAIDERS” - Investigate and halt any potential or alleged “Raider” activity.
WINGMATES: Trista Consta . Anybody who wants to converse!
[Any conversations in these brackets indicate Comm-link traffic]

As the Rangers were inward, the SCARs were still dealing with farmers who either did not want them there or were dangerously too excited to see them. There was a needle that needed to be threaded, but that as why he was here. Admiral Angellus was an a’hole in that regard but he understood why he had these orders. It was a learning experience for him.

[2:1 to 1:1]

One moment, gentleman. [1:1 go ahead, send traffic]

[Movement inward, hold fire, you should have eyes on them now.]

[Acknowledged. Back to work.] Sir, I hope that you never have to use these, but if the need arises, you will have the supplies to protect yourself should a force such as us are not able to react in time.

The man was quite offended by the Captain’s frank nature and took to assert his authority in the community that he was in. “I will have you know that we have lived the way we have for generations peacefully and without issue.”

Now it was the younger farmer’s turn to speak up. “... but Elder… times are changing. These Raiders know about our traditions and methods. Maybe this is a good thing that we learn this. Maybe they will be able to protect us, but if they can’t at least we can do something.”

The Ranger came up to him and frankly Ewan was not in the mood to mince words, he didn’t like Rangers, felt like they were “Poor Man’s Jedi” or those who wanted it both ways, like the stories of the old “Sixth Line” Intel teams that the Republic used to employ. Black Ops squads of militant Jedi who were compelled to duty to the Republic over commitment to their Order.

It was not this girl’s fault, she did not do anything wrong, but he did not really appreciate the question. Still, he could and would remain professional about it.

Hit or Miss. Supplies are inbound, but I won’t authorize landing until I have their permission.

They both knew that he very well could clear the Cherub Troop Transports and Cherub Gunship to come in and land, but trying to keep this as respectful as possible was (in his eyes) not his job.

“Elder… please… they’re trying to help us. Let them.” The younger farmer pleaded with his colleague. Elder was still not convinced, but they were getting much-needed supplies that could help modernize much of their living and would help with their quality of life. It was a tradeoff that he could accept and still turn down if he did not like what he saw.

“I still reserve the right to turn you away.”

Fair enough. [Raider to Main!]

[Go ahead 1;1, send traffic.]

[Where are we on Ares 1, and 2?]

[1:1 this is Ares 1, on approach.]

[Acknowledged. Welcome to Alee.]

Before anyone could notice, three sleek transports came in over the horizon and two set down on a “hover landing” long enough to offload heavy amounts of supplies. The majority of which looked to be food, water, seedlings, and farming equipment. The rest was non-descript cases, these housed the weapons and their powercells but were very plain so as not to draw the attention of any unwelcome eyes.

“Why is the third one hovering overhead and circling? Why don’t they land?”

This is protocol. They are a gunship and there for the protection of the two transports.

Like clockwork, everything was off-loaded and safe to access. The transports were soon lifting off.

[1:1, this is Ares 1, we are R.T.B.]

[Acknowledged Ares 1, safe travels.] Alright, which would you like to look at first?

This was definitely going to be slow going, but more farmers seemed willing to approach as some of the ship’s staff offloaded as well and began using equipment to dig the vault that they would be building.

 

[Kei Amadis]

Objectives: Investigate the burrowers
Tag: Open
Mentions: Sor-Jan Xantha | Matsu Ike

Roots would also damage the piping, Amadis exhaled. Not just one line of trees but several they'd need to move to keep the area clear. That option was out, conservation of the local woodland was important for the residents here.

While he looked over the plans on the table ahead, Amadis wasn't the type to take long deliberations. Sor-Jan Xantha's had landed now to help supervise a different part of the operation. There was relief, because calm as he was, the voices breaking out into discussion again threatened to cause a ruckus, low wookiee roars drawing his attention.

The older Jedi Master turned behind him, giving everyone a look, "patience." and the voices quietened again. The answer will come in time. "Take a break," the work crew could use the rest, there was no rush he had to remind himself.

It was the young Ithorian that got the Jedi Master's attention in the end, he felt it before the youngling spoke! Were there creatures burrowing below ground? That young Ithorian was a genius, or was he more than met the eye? He gave his new helper a hearty slap on its back, probably throwing him off guard.

Commlink on to Sor-Jan Xantha | Matsu Ike
"Master Xantha, Master Ike, Amadis here, have you heard anything about small underground burrowers here?"

The hole in the ground didn't look threatening. Still, it would make irrigation here more challenging. Time to go down under! "Hope you brought your boots?" He said to the Ithoiran, whose huge head blinked at him. A very different type of tunnel than Tython had experienced recently, but then sometimes all roads led to Rome via ten different stops.

One more Amadis adventure coming right up!

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

Master Xantha?

The boy tilted his head to one side, staring at the short woman. Had she really just called him Master Xantha? There were padawans who looked older than he did. Then, the boy took a second look at the petite Jedi. "We've met before," the Anzat mused aloud, even though the precise circumstances of their meeting eluded him at the moment.

Hopefully it wasn't one of those times that Scherezade deWinter was terrorizing the galaxy while Sor-Jan brought her barista-quality caf. Because if so, that would just be awkward. "Call me Sor-Jan, please."

He didn't know why the title of master bothered him as much as it did. He was nobody's master. Least of all for himself. They could call him anything, even General Xantha or just SJ and he'd be happy with that.

"Master Xantha, Master Ike, Amadis here, have you heard anything about small underground burrowers here?"

Another Master Xantha? Was it going to be like this all day?

"Nothing yet, but we'll keep an eye out and let you know if we do," the boy answered, before glancing back over to where the small woman was talking with the farmer.

"I was going to start with the financials, but I'm open to ideas if you have a thought on where to begin," the boy remarked candidly, addressing the diminutive woman.

Kei Amadis Wu Yeoh-Mei​

 

[Wu Yeoh-Mei]

Sor-Jan Xantha

"We have." Wu bowed her head and was looking at the master as he said to call him something else. She bowed her head in acknowledgement as he was the senior master in the situation and with extensive age comes profound wisdom. "Very well mas.... Sor-Jan." She said it and looked towards the farmers as they might be able to better understand the needs of the people. "Should we start with what we can offer them? Or should we see where they need assistance and allocate the resources?" She said it and was looking at the farmers but out of earshot.. she had a few ideas of how to approach this but wanted to make sure they were on the same page.. she had been there when a different master just forced negotiations through without any sort of care and had tried to soothe the pain.

 

[Trista Consta]

Location: Homestead community, Alee
Objective: Raiders
Allies: Ewan "Raider" Isaacs

Trista blinked and glanced at the man's uniform - briefly taken aback by his brusque manner. Flyboy? What's he doing down here? She waffled on whether to respond in kind to the man but was distracted by the sounds of engines in the sky. She turned around to look upward at the craft. Maybe coordinating is part of why he's here? She shrugged as she considered the rest of the environment. There appeared to be some sort of tension between not only some of the farmers and the Concord servicemen present, but also between the farmers themselves. I'd better stay out of this part, not when he's doing his stuff...

"I'll lend a hand with some coaching some of the willing while this whole landing thing gets sorted out."

She beckoned her soldiers to her with the wave of a hand, "Looks like we're not quite ready to move. Telia, you and Renci take up watch, just in case. Brea and I are going to do a little coaching, but get me right away if you even have a feeling that's something off or is about to happen."

Two of her troopers departed, while Brea unslung her own rifle. Slightly shorter that Trista, Brea was probably the best shot of the four - at least with a blaster. As much as Trista had tried to figure out how the other woman managed to outshoot her, just barely, at every competition they've had thus far, she hadn't. Their shooting stance was near identical - their professed breathing and sighting techniques were identical as well. One day I'll figure it out. Trista scanned the line of farmers still shooting - those not involved in unloading the craft - and noticed a younger man still probably in his teens with old long blaster. He seemed to be taking his time with each shot, yet his shots always seemed just a little bit off to the center.

She approached and sat down next to him as he finished firing a handful of shots at the target.

"You grow up shooting?" asked the woman, "or is this new to you?"

The scrawny man seemed briefly taken aback by her. She offered him a disarming smile, but that only seemed to make him seem a little bit more self conscious. His eyes darted downward.

"Uh, I'd say I'm occasional shooter. Blaster gas isn't always the easiest or cheapest to get out here. I shoot when I can, when I must, but I'm not super regular about it."

"You seem like you'd make a pretty good shot with some more consistent practice," said the woman, "maybe even one of the better ones here. Can I see your rifle for a second?"

The man did. She grasped hold of the rifle, recognizing it as a BlasTech A280 or a very similar knock-off. Bulky but powerful and decent accuracy potential. She eyed it over, taking note of the scratched finish and peeling paint on the scope. Yet it seemed otherwise oiled and in good shape. She looked up at him.

"May I take a shot?"

"It's your blaster gas."

"Thanks."

She brought the rifle up to her cheek and looked down the scope. The balance was much different than their own rifle - much more forward heavy which made stabilizing it a little bit more difficult. The reticle wavered briefly as she started to rhythmically breathe. At the end of an exhalation, she pulled the trigger - finding a surprisingly crisp break at the end of a heavy pull. A bright red dart zipped out of the barrel and rocketed down the range to lance into the target. She found that it hadn't hit the bullseye either, though it still fairly close to it, and better than most of the shots the man had taken so far. She frowned.

"You modify this rifle? It's got a bit more of a kick than I'd expect from it. A friend back home had one of these that I got to shoot from time to time."

"My dad did," admitted the man, "something with increasing the power and the blaster gas volume per shot. It's more powerful that way. I don't know much about it though."

She hesitated, "Maybe, but you might get better accuracy with something with a little less kick. Here, try mine."

The hapan handed over her own rifle, after making sure the selector lever was set to the boiler rifle mode, just to make sure there weren't any surprises for him or her.


Mission Gear

Spoiler

Llwelkyn-series Battle Armor
LPD-66 Flashfire Blaster Rifle
LPD-33 Dartfire Variable Charge Blaster Pistol
2 LPD-12 Hydra Electronet Grenades
2 LPD-24 Fireblast Dual Purpose Grenade

Narglatch-class Speeder Bike

 

[Kei Amadis]

Objectives: Investigate the tunnels
Tag: Open
Mentions: Sor-Jan Xantha

"Received. Thank you Master Xantha, we'll head down to investigate." Sor-Jan Xantha The communicator replied, yes probably all day!

No word on burrowers, and no sign of actual movement under the ground.

"Vars, see if you can put up a sensor net. Me and my friend here will head down to investigate." The young Ithorian blinked again, its huge head moving from side to side concerned. "I feel no danger." Amadis reassured, and there was something about the Ithorian that he felt needed his attention.

Safety helmet on, down into the small tunnel he crawled, flashlight in his teeth. If his wife didn't see him dirty at the end of a mission, she'd probably be disappointed! It was dark and he couldn't see a thing down here, the torch providing barely enough light to see his hands. The force was his only guide. Reaching out to sense, and follow the tunnel network as best he could. He began scratching and shoveling any dirt out of the way with a small digging tool. Covered in mud, digging through loose soil, Reminded him of the special forces, Kei grinned, ten lifetimes ago.

"This way." Not like there was any other way! The Ithorian behind him blinked, at least three whole times! While our grizzled and now definitely dirty, Jedi Master pulled himself onward through the muck, an array of different colors slowly became visible under the earth, almost like a rainbow haze.

Clearing his eyes from dirt with a blink of his own, "I see the problem."

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

"Received. Thank you Master Xantha, we'll head down to investigate."

uh-huh. The tow-headed boy rolled his eyes, even as he brought the comlink up to reply. "May the Force be with you. Sor-Jan out."

May the Force be with you? Really? Did anyone even talk like that that anymore? "Panbocn Jeedai," the Anzat uttered softly in Huttese, lowering the comlink and looking over at the Jin Jedi as she revealed that she'd already scouted the farm.

"Should we start with what we can offer them? Or should we see where they need assistance and allocate the resources?"

Crossing his arms, the boy leaned back against a table as he inclined his head toward the other Jedi. "I'd planned to take a look at the financials, but if you've already looked around the farm then I'd love to get your thoughts on where to begin?"

It was the usual handshake. He'd done this dozens of times. Identify the barriers. Give the people solutions. Everybody loves the Jedi. Everybody wins.

Until the next Jedi-Sith civil war anyway.

Kei Amadis Wu Yeoh-Mei​

 

[Wu Yeoh-Mei]

Kei Amadis Sor-Jan Xantha

She had looked at a few things but not much... mostly it was on the surface and if she was able to work with the other master who had a plan. "I looked at a few of the initial reports but nothing too in depth... their financials may be important but we don't want this to seem like we want to exploit them.. we want to present a better alternative to the hutts." Though the hutts were for the most part on friendly terms.. they had a far longer history for things going bad and exploiting their workers. She looked at the farmers who were there and she spoke bowing to them. "Thank you for having us. My fellow master and I would like to begin." That got a look but she smiled back. "If we could sit I will present a plan hopefully that you like and see that membership into the Silver Jedi can be invaluable."